Southern Rail strikes planned
Train commuters to face months of misery
THE dawn of another series of strikes from this week will brings months of misery for commuters using the Southern Rail network.
People travelling into London Victoria for work or tourists hoping to see some of the capital’s landmarks could experience longer journeys and cancellations as train staff walk out in the first of five 48-hour industrial action days.
The news of a legal challenge being launched by Southern Rail comes after rail union bosses at Rail Maritime Transport (RMT) and chiefs at the rail company could not reach an agreement in the row over train guards.
The planned strike days are as follows:
Tuesday October 11 to Thursday October 13
Tuesday October 18 to Thursday October 20
Thursday November 3 to Saturday November 5
Tuesday November 22 and Wednesday November 23
Tuesday December 6 to Thursday December 8
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT can confirm the receipt of a formal legal challenge from Southern Rail in the guards safety dispute.
“It is appalling that rather than sitting down with us at ACAS today to seek a resolution the company have chosen to run to the courts under the cloak of the antiunion laws.
“The union intends to continue with the planned action and is examining the details of the paperwork.
“We will issue a further statement in due course.”